Well, I have done the unthinkable. I got rid of my truck!!! With my wife now 6 1/2 months pregnant, she was having a hard time getting in and out of the truck. Side steps were an option, but she had a hard time with them on a friend's truck. We also needed more room to transport the dogs, baby, wife and myself. We've also relocated to the Orlando area and my drive distance has increased from 15 miles round trip to 70 miles round trip. So, we decided to go shopping.

First stop was the Dodge dealer. I usually work with the same salesman I've worked with in the past. I talked to him, but he was busy so he set us up with his associate. He was a complete A-hole. I gave him the benefit of a doubt and continued to work with him on a Durango, but when they didn't want to work with me on the price, we walked.

We then looked at the Ford Explorer, but the interior was a hodgepodge of mixed parts and materials. The door handles were completely wrong and the whole interior just felt cheap. My wife would be driving the new vehicle after the baby is born, so the Expedition was too big for her. Continued shopping.

We stopped and looked at the Honda Pilot, Toyota 4-Runner, and Nissan Pathfinder. While they were nice, we couldn't find one with the options and colors we wanted.

About to give up and heading home, we saw the Jeep dealership. My wife commented how she liked the flying brick they had so we stopped to look at the Commander. Nice, but she didn't feel it was right. That is when she spotted this...A Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland. We were sold. I wish it were a touch bigger on the inside, but I know my wife didn't want to drive a huge SUV.

So, I have sold my truck, but I've remained in the DC family. I'll check in from time to time, but even that has been hard with my schedule lately. I hope everyone is doing well.

Tom







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I think that's a very nice swap and with the kid coming, very pratical. You did good IMO....

 

Yeah good choice.....

Personally i like the interior's of the Jeeps better than the Durango's, but the size of the durango is nice. again good call

 

LOL. Last year at about this time I traded in the Jeep GC for a new QC Hemi. I put the kid seat right behind the driver's seat so I still have access to the under seat storage on the driver's side. My truck still feels like a SUV.

I've had GC's for 8 years now and they are great!!! The new ones are absolutley the best - did you get the quadra-drive II AWD system? Simply amazing technology.

 

We were debating between the 2wd Overland and a 4wd Limited. The wife liked the Overland since it had the Nav, VES and hands-free system over the Limited which didn't have those 3 options in it. I really didn't care either way, so we got the Overland edition. When it comes time for me to get a new vehicle, it definitely will be a 4wd DC vehicle. Right now I'm in her old VW Jetta. It is quite a switch, but I find the interior to be nice (it has leather and sunroof) and the mileage to be good, especially since I'm averaging about 30-32mpg. The VW has really surprised me with its handling and comfort. I still feel funny driving a "chick" car though. Oh well, the things we do for our better half...

 

Tom,

You've done whats right for your family!!!!

I did the same thing 20+ years ago and ended up in a 76 toyota corolla---count your blessings

Before long it will be your turn for the new car, and I would almost wager you'll end up in a truck, with your son or daughter right beside you headin out huntin--yeah!!!

 

Thanks for the words of encouragement guys. I forgot to tell you guys, it's a BOY!!!!!! And yes, Gone Fishin, I hope to have my son right next to me as I head out to the woods and the lake. There are many good lessons that can be taught, that can't be taught in some city!

 

What the hell did chrysler do the extior of the Grabd C, the 06 is so ugly, the intierior is nice, power from the 5.7 Hemi is mind blowing, I have a 06 Ram 2500 reg cab as a work truck and I'm looking for a Jeep grand cheroke as a 2nd means of people moving, I love the looks of the pre 06 models.

Thier still awsome, but I hate the looks of the 06

 

I tried my hardest to get the wife to stick with dc,but ended up with a honda pilot(third row seat).The zj is a great choice the step monster had a 94, I should have bought it from her.

 

congrats on the youngin'. lol. hope all is well, especially after your car venture.